“I must leave you in Argon’s care. We shall soon meet again. We, no more than you, know what is to come. We cannot promise that what you wish will come to pass; but we sometimes live to be thankful for hopes unfulfilled. The spirit always gives us what we need. You have friends; have patience!”
The ominous purport which Jack was prone to put upon her words was somewhat counteracted by the smile which accompanied the touch of her finger-tips in farewell. She and her minister boarded the craft, and Jack and Argon were alone.
“I don’t know that I shall ever be wise enough to comprehend all this,” Jack remarked; “but I shall never be quite the same fool that I was before. I feel, without knowing why, that what seemed cruel in your speech was love and mercy. As for Lamara, she lives and speaks in a world and a language beyond me. And yet I believe that something in me deeper than my mind understands her. Perhaps I’ve never known myself, and that is why I know nothing.”
“The best generally comes last,” said Argon. “I’ve lived twenty times as long as you, but what small light I have comes from others, and with difficulty. What I said to-day was born of the thinking of men wiser and better than I shall ever be. What I wanted was to take that poor child in my arms and comfort her. But, thanks to the spirit, and to Lamara, and to the societies, I was able to rise to a higher love of her than that!” “What will Zarga do?” Jack inquired.
“I think the shock she got from that sapphire charm of yours began a vital alteration in her, which events happening afterward confirmed and gave direction to,” said his friend. “She had been in a morbid state. I doubt if she really cared for you—in that way—at all. Your adventure in coming here stirred her imagination, and the impulse of rivalry with Miriam roused her vanity and ambition. Then, no doubt, Torpeon led her on. Probably, too, some indiscretions on your part and Miriam’s helped the conspirators. But nothing irrevocable, so far as I know, has happened yet.”
Having none of the vanity of amorous conquest, Jack was relieved to learn that Zarga’s infatuation might be unsubstantial. But he returned to his question.
“No one can foretell her plans,” was Argon’s answer. “But I’m sure she’ll never be content with anything less than trying her utmost to undo the mischief she has done. And in spite of her light manner, she really is a girl of remarkable qualities. Lamara, as you heard, gives her her full confidence and unrestricted liberty. I dare say she is at work already. For that matter, there’s no time to lose; and we must realize that the situation is serious. Torpeon will go all lengths!”
“I hope I needn’t tell you that I had sense enough to understand from what Lamara said to-day, that forgiveness of the enemy is not only your belief, but your practise. That implies that I ought to forgive Torpeon. But if evil be our only enemy, then it is his as well as mine; and if I can take a hand in preventing the evil he intends, I shall be doing him a friendly service. Of course, it won’t be easy to bear in mind the distinction between his evil and himself; but I’ll promise to try my best! I won’t try to kill him; I’ll go no further than to use every means possible to get Miriam away from him; and then, if he puts his evil away, I’ll forgive him with all my heart! It seems to me Lamara herself shouldn’t ask more! And I don’t see that I can ask less.”
The candor of this plea tempted Argon to smile; but he put a hand affectionately on Jack’s shoulder and replied: “I agree with you!”
“That’s a comfort!” rejoined the other. “Now, as it seems plain I can do nothing here, can’t you give me a lift over to Tor?”